Wigan boss: We’ll Give 100% Against United
Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has insisted there will be no sentimentality as his side, with nothing to play for, visit his former club Manchester United, who are aiming to seal successive league titles.
Bruce captained the Red Devils in the mid-1990s and has an obvious affection for the club. Now in charge of Wigan, many conspiracy theorists are suggesting he may make it easy for United to pick up the points on the final day, as they are level with Chelsea - ahead by a distance on goal difference - and need to win to assure the title.
Many players and officials from the club have since blasted the very notion - Bruce included - and he has come out again today, and said his players will be giving their all this Sunday, despite sealing safety in the Premier League last year and having no pressure on themselves to perform.
“Everybody who knows me knows me better than that,” he said, responding to suggestions he would tell his players to go easy. “What am I going to say to the team? ‘Just roll over and let Man United win’?
“That’s not going to happen. Make no mistake, we’ll be trying our utmost.”
After debuting in the top flight in 2005, Wigan lost in 20 straight league fixtures against the Big Four of England: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
That was under Paul Jewell and then his assistant Chris Hutchings, who took over at the beginning of this season. Steve Bruce’s mid-season appointment and subsequent turnaround have seen them escape what looked like certain relegation, and no doubt, good results against top sides and the morale-boost that gave the Latics played its part.
They have picked up creditable draws at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, as well as one on their own patch against Arsenal.
When they face Manchester United at the JJB Stadium on Sunday, even a draw is likely to cost the Red Devils the title, as Chelsea would need to draw at the fortress of Stamford Bridge against a Bolton Wanderers side who, like Wigan, have little left to play for. Highly unlikely.
However, with United having scored a whopping 20 times in their six games against Wigan in the Premier League, the odds are against Bruce and his men.
That considered, though, dropping from 13th to 15th - which is what would most likely happen if they were to lose - would cost them a substantial amount of prize money - thus they may have more than just pride to play for.
